Question

Is it ok for a 21 year old girl to still have posters of boys on her wall? And by that I mean, as my desktop background. I mean, am I too old for that sort of thing?

I mean goodness when you think of all the boys out there; Neil Patrick Harris, Chris Colfer, John Barrowman... I can only think of three openly gay actors? That's upsetting. What is my world coming too? (And sorry, that was a very unfunny joke).

Until next time
Katherine

And for once it might be grand

Do my interests seem insane to anyone else? Or, you know, well, I'm pretty sure that most third/fourth year engineering students are not doing what I do, but you know, I may be wrong.

So for the past few days I've done some cool stuff. I have gone to GOMA, which is really cool because they've brought back the Aernout Mik video (Pulverous) and Yayoi Kusama Infinity Room (Soul under the moon) who I'm going to say tie for my favourite modern artists (I'm sorry, I'm cliche, but I love Degar). But at the moment they just have some really fun things, a two-storey double slide, a exhibit with live birds and a room filled entirely with purple balloons. So much fun!

Then today, I got paid to see a movie with children. We took the OSH kids to see Megamind, which isn't actually a bad movie, go figure. And yeah, I didn't even have to miss any of it to take kids to the bathroom or anything (Score!). We did get into the movies an hour before it started but hey, they we're pretty good about it. I did briefly run into my friend, Sean, who works at an after school care that is pretty close to ours, they do training with us, but you know, was only able to exchange waves from across the cinemas. You know, us both looking after mass amounts of children.

At the moment I'm starting to get very into Doogie Howser, I found out it was released in 1989, so big points in my book. And it has Neil Patrick Harris and Max Casella!!! in it (Now, I've officially told every social media site I belong to this fact, I'm just excited...).

Oh and speaking of repeating stuff online. My status on the library website is DELINQUENT (All Caps) which is hilarious, because you know me, the quiet, nerdy, polite one is after all the trouble maker. But you know, I don't even have any overdue books or fines or anything. I think it may be because I take the 'don't write on other people's things' as more of a suggestion rather than an actual rule and some people may not be totally for that.

I still think Lewis Hine is the greatest photojournalist in the world, ever. And am totally an Alex Carpenter Fangirl. (Though, I think I may have started Fangirling the fricken film critic) (and when did Fangirling need a capital letter?).

Until next time,
Katherine

You don't understand, you're a legend man, to us all.

So I kind of fail miserably at doing things. My room is halfway clean but nowhere near finished and my costume is still a long way off (I really need to go to the fabric store).

I have done my two days of before Christmas camp and they were great. I got paired with a little girl with autism but really unless you knew the signs of autism you wouldn't be able to tell. She was lovely. And we had fun together. And on the second day I got paired with a little boy with an I.I. And ya'll should be jealous because he is the coolest kid ever!(Do I say that about all my buddies and all the kids on camp, well they all are!!! And top points go to one little boy who told me he always gets girl first time leaders as buddies, he was adorable!). I've met him on camp before and figured it was only a matter of time before we got to be buddies and heck yes, jealous you should be.

When you're on camp you don't really think of the label that your buddy...has been labeled with ADHD, ODD, CD, ASD, I.I, Bipolar. They are just kids. But afterwards and a little before you can't help but think that you have mad skillz, and skills that actually make a difference in the world. And you kind of feel good.

My little clique also were horrible, horrible, anti-social people during the two days. It's kind of funny because we make up quite a few of the leadership teams in January. And I know, I know, I know, it's horrible and we should have made more of an effort to socialise with the new leaders because well, there is enough politics without us adding any more.

I remember having a three people dance party in the conference room, while our debrief set up debrief. Geeking out about Darren Criss for a large majority of camps. Playing chase the balloon while the glee rocky horror soundtrack played. Never getting to the end of 'Back to Hogwarts' ever. And playing 'Harry Freaking Potter' while on a trip to Maccas.

I must learn patience with all people. Just saying.

Until next time
Katherine

I know a small amount myself

So after my rant yesterday which I reveal my hostile, annoying side. I'm going to talk today about my leisurely annoying side.

Also as a side note (see that there, yeah), blogger does not like to correct my spelling mistakes and it's a little bit...grrr... I type fast ok, my spelling is quite stumbly.

It is Uni holidays, thank goodness. Even though I only had uni 3 days a week this year so really, my whole life is holidays (mixed with a lot of stress). But anyway everyone always asks 'have you got anything planned' and my answer to this is 'I plan to watch a lot of TV' which is no lie. Besides doing 2 weeks and 2 days of camp and going to work occasionally, I am not planning on doing anything.

Well, that's a lie. I plan on watching, reading, painting, writing, drawing and making anything that I want. That is my plan. To enjoy myself as much as possible with the things I like. And, so far, it's been working well.

I have watched the original Star Wars movies, caught up on the Glee episodes I missed while away, read 'the money-less man; by Mark Boyle, used tea to dye a corset style shirt for a cosplay costume, went to a new leaders induction for the charity I volunteer for to meet the new recruits, and am currently listening to the PotterCast DH part 1 review.

People have been polite and have asked me the 'what have you been up to' type questions. And really, this is not the crazy exciting or even leave my bedroom type activities, but I'm doing exactly what I want to be doing. It's so freaking nice.

Until next time.
Katherine

Food, Glorious Food.

I'll put this question out there, do I disrespect the food I eat? that's not a very grammatically correct question but you get the point.

I am 21 years old and have a BMI of 18 (but I'll say 18.4 to put me in the 'normal' category). So as you might expect I naturally eat a little less than other people. I just went away with my friend and she couldn't get over it (and what I mean is she's been less vocal in the past).

So the thing is, I leave food on my plate. I admit it. But I don't think it's entirely my fault and blame. I mean, yes, it's wasteful. And I do like to take a little bit of everything. But I do believe that a normal portion size is grossly too much.

Now anyway on about the 5th day, she pulled the starving children in India card, when we said to throw out some pasta because we had already reheated it (the pasta didn't have meat in it so I think it was ok but still, I don't like to risk it). And my natural response to that is, eating the food we have will not help the starving children.

She told me that I was being disrespectful because I didn't eat the food I was given (that's how you know we're friends). But to me the idea of stuffing yourself so full that it makes you sick, is akin to this disrespect. Because I tried to eat more when she told me she didn't like it. I of course, vehemently verbally disagreed with her, but internally I set myself the challenge (do I have a holier-than-thou attitude or what?).

My friend told me, that I want to change the world whereas she is interested in changing herself. I think we need to do both.

I need less spirituality from people and more action. Goodness, I feel more and more like an atheist all the time. I have a hard time understanding an entirely emotional reason for doing something, "I feel this so..."

The thing is, I hate when it is all talk and no action (which is basically me a lot of the time). And sometimes it frustrates me that we live in the confines of a world where it is difficult to make these changes. I mean, I have the disheartened belief that it matters very little what I do in comparison to the major players in the world. But does that mean I will not do the things I believe are right? no. I feel guilty with myself that I do not do exponentially more, but, in life there is always a but. We really need to get over that.

And God. I'm judgmental and wasteful, good for me... yikes!

This day in 2010

Aung San Suu Kyi was released from house arrest. We've still got a long way to go but it's a step in the basic human rights direction.

be your teenage dream tonight

So ok, I just watched the Darren Criss episode of Glee. And words can not describe how I feel. Happy, of course but kind of on a high (I know that sounds completely stupid and wankery but still...).

I mean, I know I've said it before but it's like I live in this bubble where everything is great and wonderful and magical (see, wouldn't you like to create a bubble like that for yourself). Where all these great creative people just fill my life with all this wonder. I'm a nerd (fighter) and a proud fangirl and all my friends are either nerds or a little quirky. And we live in this place, where it's ok to be like that. I know, I know, I know, I've said it before. But it's a place where everyone is looking forward to zombie walk, and doesn't bat an eyelid when we say we're going to the medieval fair and will talk about Doctor Who while going there (with me covering my ears because I hadn't watched the 'Fez's are cool' episode).

And I know, not everyone is like that. There are people out there who don't openly over the top love things. Now the openly may have me there, I do wear my Serenity and Harry and the Potters shirt occasionally, but to look at me you would not think that I was the geek-obsessed girl who is typing this post. (you would have to see me sitting in the back of the lecture room reading a comic book or The Great Gatsby to figure that out).

Now what I'm trying to say is that I have this little bubble and it has all these things in it and my little bubble is shared by a lot of people (I in no way think I'm unique, which I will talk about at some point) And suddenly our little bubble just grew that little bit bigger and if we put them all together they may be big enough to fit the whole world.

I think we are apart of the un-mainstream-mainstream and this proves it, we've got something too good not the share with the world.

We live in a time and place where we have the oportunity for people to go 'don't watch that crap they're feeding you, please think for yourself and here's some user generated content for you' (which is giving myself WAAAY too much credit).

I also by no means beleive Harry Potter fans were the first people to like Darren Criss, we just kind of embrased him and all the other starkids a little, in our over the top, obsessive way we like to.

And it's just so great for the mainstream media to embrace him as well. I like to think that we are changing the world a little at a time, through the creative things we get to experience. And you know, maybe we can change the world. Change the way people think about culture and literature. To turn not being open-minded and well read into the minority. And not just what the mainstream tells you you should be reading, or watching or thinking.

***

Ok, that rant is over but it kind of leads into another more selfish rant. I am completely terrified that I, how do I describe it, do things just because it's not mainsteam, so much so that it's exactly another type of mainstream. Getting caught being an alternative kind of sheep. I mean, you latch on to something that you love and it leads you down this path that you think is really freaking cool but do you really like it or was it just because that first thing was great and now you're stuck. and i think a lot of people have this problem.

It's the liking things less because other people like it. Which I guess, I'm starting to realise now is a bit silly. I should have faith that I like what I like. And if other people like it too, well, then we all just have fantastic taste.

But that's kind of not my point. I like to think of myself as a little alternative but do we all just fit into the same alternative mold? and is that a bad thing. and I guess like before, I only my feelings and that is that I love what I love and...

Gosh darn it, I don't even care, Joss Whedon will always make me cry, Neil Gaiman leaves me in awe and JK Rowling is the reason I am who I am today. And I do not care how many other people feel exactly the same way.

Until next time,
Katherine

And if you'll love me then I'll never play Halo again.

and speaking of being all swoony. ahem
The orginal makes me swoon more, for obvious reasons, but those two are just too cute.

and can I just say I'm living this too. (that was supposed to be 'loving this too', but 'living' is pretty close as I listen to those two about once every 25 minutes as that seems to be my concentration span).

I'm not very productive today.

Until next time,
Katherine

That just makes me a dumb human, like you

I am so totally all swoony for Darren Criss at the moment.

and a yeah...

and yeah, we all kind of miss the fro and basically all of this


But hey, we get this


and isn't that totally awesome.

Until next time,
Katherine.

We're not unreasonable

So um, yeah, haven't updated in a while... yeah, mainly it was because I didn't want to create a google account to sign in to this bad boy. Why yes, I am that lazy.

The last few weeks have been pretty good, I mean, I turned 21. That's kind of exciting in a not very exciting kind of way.

So, let's get on to the good stuff. Zombie Walk. It's that time of year again where the undead masses converge on the streets of brisbane and try to infect the world (all why raising money for the brain foundation). I had forgotten how unfit I am, as at the end of the walk we all kind of collapsed (we're not even too sure if it was the end of the walk, well, it was for us, we kind of just left). But it was really fun this year, as it was last year. There were a whole lot more people and I saw a lot more disgusting things but there were less 'exciting' zombies I think and more just, 'have a go' zombies.

Picture Time:





(see I have friends)

I need to work on my zombie poses because if I'm going to continue in my ways of being an attention seeker, the posing is going to need to get better. Like, I did that same generic pose for all my pictures and it looks good but we need some variety in our undead lives. Also, I am not as so many people thought a 'rape victim' or 'prostitute' zombie, I am in fact a zombie Spice Girl (which let's be honest, is kind of the same thing).

And now it's exam time. Fun, fun, fun... my first one is tomorrow and then after that the world ends. I mean, I start studying for the next one...

Oh ok, so I'm also still really obsessed with Steam Punk stuff, mainly because I get to create costumes with no real specifications, just what I think would look cool. and I finally have a semi-steam-punk look to go with my pirate wench skirt so yay. I am also looking forward to busting out the sewing maching to make my own version of this

And um, it was the Glee Rocky Horror episode this week, which was fun. I rushed home from a choir concert (which I was in) to watch it. Yes, that's right, screw actual choirs, I want to watch one on TV. Our choir conductor ended the show early (it was pretty informal) and I'm pretty sure he had the same idea as us. Must. Watch. Glee. But yeah, had a chat with some old teachers, which was nice but missed some I would have liked to talk to, oh well, next time. Speaking of which.

So...um, yeah.
Until next time
Katherine.

my friends, my friends don't ask me

3 things to talk about and I'm kind of sad, even though I get to talk about slightly awesome things.

So I got an answer to my slightly rude email and their going to investigate whether the comic is mislabeled which is nice. But it also shows that no one has anything better to do that respond to my emails.

Also, I saw the 25th Anniversary concert of Les Miserables last night, which I've quiet been looking forward to. I Think the word "concert" should have tipped me off but I really thought it was going to be a full-on production. Because seriously, we had a 10th Anniversary show that was quite similar, we got more of the story sung at us but not as much explained. I did however, think it was amazing, the singing OH MY GOD! Being about 13 when I first found Les Mis I was so in love with Eponine and Marius and Gavroche and all that side of it and Javert, but what's not to love there? But, for the first time I found Valjean's songs to be unbelievably beautiful, Alfie Boe (i think that's him) is amazing. Like, I've always loved Valjeans and the guys that sing him but not as much as I loved the other characters.

Everyone in that production was unbe-freaking-believable (with one notable exception, though he did as well as I expected him to). Lea Salonga makes you pay attention to Fantine (she makes you go, people are impressed by Susan Boyle? What now? Huh?). Cosette sang with such purity and beauty that sometimes doesn't translate when you go for the full-on soprano (full-on soprano is just not my thing) but this was beautiful. Eponine, Javert and Theanrdier all made you just watch in awe with what they did. You just went from song to song in awe of these people. And Enjolras, what can I say, I'd join a revolution for that boy.

And now we get to it. It was ridiculously funny when they all took their bows that Nick Jonas didn't get a very big applause (because all the little fangirls weren't in attendance). Even my friend who knows very little (even less than me, which is saying something) about music, could pick up that Nick wasn't the caliber of everyone else. His phrasing was terrible, he didn't support anything, he just wasn't at all comfortable with it. (And Enjolras looks over at Michael Ball at the end with a look of 'thank goodness, someone who can sing the part). Now, in his defence, I'm a pretty critical person, but I was willing to give him a go, and I think in a staged version you can overlook the singing a little less because of all the other stuff going on, this was a very stand and deliver context, which shows all your flaws. But really, cringe worthy moment of the night goes to "dearest Cosette, my friend 'ponine, brought me to you..." it was pop style. pop? your singing Les Mis, you do realise. He sang empty chairs at empty tables nicely (but he just needs to work on the phrasing, a lot! "and tomorrow" *breath* "never" *breath "came" ) but really, I've said it before, he's just a 17 year old, who has talents in other musical areas, he hasn't been doing this forever. It was just the wrong medium for him and that's ok.

I've run out of steam on this one... and I wonder what my third thing to talk about was??? hmm... I guess we will never know.

Though the thing that's good about Nick Jonas compared to Michael Ball is that he doesn't sing with an air of 'look at me, I'm really good aren't I' which is always nice.(And, why yes I did just read 'The Catcher in the Rye' thanks for noticing)

Until next time,
Katherine.

blah blah blahblah blah blah blah

Hello,
I was wondering, why half of the 'Runaways' by Brian Vaughan is labeled as Young Adult and the others are labeled as Adult? I understand that some material may not be appropriate for all ages but shouldn't a decision have been made on the whole?

It may not be resoundingly obvious but I kind of disagree with the formal labelling (and I know it's a little late) but was there a formal reason for this, besides ease of placement in branches? I just think it insults people's intelligence to be blatantly told that V for Vendetta,Watchman,The Sandman, Tank Girl etc may contain adult content.

I understand that the 'Young adult' label has positive connotations and can encourage young readers but i think the labeling of Runaways sends a mixed message. the labeling problem could be easily solved by knowledgeable and enthusiastic librarians in conjunction with, once again, placement in libraries.

Thank you
Katherine

Proof that I am going to end up being a cranky old lady writing in to the paper on a weekly basis, using my ancient 2009 laptop with 'what? she must be crazy' windows 7.

It just makes me so mad that we're dumbing down our way of thinking. That we can't even be relied upon to make a "proper" choice when it comes to the type of materials we read. Who are you to dictate what I read? Who is it that makes these choices? I know it's mainly so kids don't read stuff we deem inappropriate but WHY have an 'adult' label, it's silly.Do we label fiction novels as 'adult'? (Actually I'm not sure of the answer to this??? I'd say no... well that makes my argument well, sucky.)

I just think if we all payed more attention and asked our librarians for help when in doubt, all these problems would be solved.

Though I'm not really talking about Banned Books talk about missing the point entirely

Chris will come to me like the Pheonix

***This post contains spoilers***

So I want to talk about Miss Saigon today. I saw this production last night and it was pretty brilliant. I mean some of the staging was a bit cluttered and random and there was a lot of vibrato in the singing and I like a little more colour in my sets. But then again, some of the singing blew my mind (the girls were great in their chorus high notes, and the boys choir was just fantastic, as good as any I've seen) and there was a lot of interesting things to watch in the chorus once things got going and the little boy was very cute.

But I couldn't let myself be carried away by the show. For one, there were about six people I knew in it, so instead of focusing on what's going on I was trying to watch them and find them in the scene.

And, and this is what must annoy a lot of people, I am quiet familiar with the musical. I think a combination of the two really shattered the illusion. I mean it was really great, it really was, I just didn't feel like crying my eyes out because it was hard for me to connect.

But anyway, I knew what was coming and so kept on picking up little strange things that they did. Like, Kim sang the end of 'I'd give my life for you' to her kid, which is not something you would reveal to a three year old. And the part were Tui haunts her he just stood in the middle of the stage and sang at the audience, I mean, it's not us you're trying to scare, it's her.

But I think the main thing is, I kept trying to figure out if it was more tragic to sit through the second act knowing that she's going to sacrifice herself for her son or if it's better to feel the shock of it right at the very end. I mean, she flirts with the idea for the entirity of the second half, but, does the audience think it's just an idea and try to figure out the alternatives or do they internally beg her not to do it even though they know it is inevitable?

I mean, when she does it, it's quick, she says goodbye to her son in about thrity seconds, Chris and Ellen enter the room, and it's all over. (Though this one annoyed me, they flashed Chris' gun at the audience before Kim pulled the curtain closed, how corny is that???). So you still get shock value. Which is good.

This time though, I also got the chance to think about Ellen and the Engineer. I mean the first to thirty times you listen to it/ see it, you're all about Chris and Kim and their being so in love. But Ellen loves Chris as well. And the Engineer, he's just tyring to live.

But I did realise that there are so many love songs in the first act. Like Kim and Chris have to go through the 'Oh my goodness, look how much in love we are' just to drive the point home when Kim is still in love with him three years later.

Overall. I think Miss Saigon is brilliant, the lyrics are fantastic and the music just kills me. And I know it's easy to critisise not so easy to do. But we pick apart only things we love most.

Until next time,
Katherine.

Don't Unplug Me...

So I am totally ready for the revolution!



I have a sash as well. So really, not a lot has changed since my last post except now I have cool stuff. The special 25th Anniversary performance of Les Mis was on the 3rd and I'm super excited because they're gonna screen it here on the 21st! How cool is that!!! It only took them 25 years to give us what we want. I mean, come on, full rotating stage (hopefully)! what is better than that!

Not much going on here. I think I have a bit of an internet addiction, but, hey, whatever. I'll just go outside more. There's not internet on the outside (man, I'm getting creepier everyday... haha... *face palm*). Also, singing in harmony is as fun as I remember it to be, which is nice. Except I'm used to singing on my own so I need to work on listening to other people but (once again), hey, whatever.

So really, I am the most boring person alive.
Until next time,
Katherine.

Fun Fact! My most played songs are:
1. Roundhouse (reprised theme song)
2. Roundhouse Theme Song
3. Jump in the Fire (from Roundhouse)
4. Anthem (From Chess) - Tommy Korberg OMG
5. The World Will Know (From Newsies)
6. The NaNoWriMo Song (ALL CAPS)
7. We're on Fire (Armoured Bear Cub)
8. Satalite (Lena - Germany in Eurovision 2010)
9. World of Warcraft Ruined my Life (ALL CAPS)
10. Defying Gravity (Chris Colfer version)
11. Song for the Painfully Indie (Tom Milsom)

There's not a normal people song until
26. Let's Dance to Joy Division (The Wombats)
37. Love Story (Taylor Swift)

I won't betray his trust

So at the moment I think Nick Jonas as Gavroche and Harry Stott as Oliver are completely amazing. I'm kind of in an Oliver! mood at the moment (and not just for Jack Wild, though it helps. and now I sound really creepy. oh good).

I also freaked out a few days ago (maybe last week) about Nick Jonas as Marius back in June. I listened to his stuff and I think he did it pretty well. I mean, you gotta give it to him, Michael Ball was about 23-30ish when he did it. Nick Jonas is like, 17. I am super impressed that they even let a 17 year old do it. I must do a bit of research about ages. Marius himself is about 20. Eponine is 16. The characters are young and naive, and that's a little of their charm.They feel love for the first time, and fall so deeply.

I mean come on "In my life, she has burst like the music of angels, the light of the sun. And my life seems to stop, as if something is over and somethings has scarcely begun." Brilliant.

Well, i think that's it.
Until next time,
Katherine

Let's fly, let's fly away...

So, I'm going to Adelaide soon for a friends 21st birthday! The planning is going terribly because it's right at the end of exams and thus, I have no idea at this stage when exams are. While stating how clueless I was to anything concerning the end of the year, the friend I am (hopefully) traveling with announces "you only need carry on luggage, righ!" No! Then we got into this big debate about what is considered carry-on luggage.

The website says...

"Passengers travelling on (Name of company here):

Cabin Baggage limits are strictly applied. Each Passenger (except infants not occupying an aircraft seat) is permitted 1 main item of Cabin Baggage and 1 other small item, with a total combined weight of up to 10kg (JQ) or 7kg (BL). If you are travelling with an infant, you may also carry on infant food for consumption inflight. If a seat has been booked for an infant, an approved infant car seat is permitted.

Each Passenger travelling on a StarClass fare is permitted 1 additional main item of Cabin Baggage provided that only one item may be a suit pack or garment bag, provided that each main item does not exceed 10kg, with a total combined Cabin Baggage weight of up to 20kg.

* Dimensions of main items must not exceed 56cm (width) 36cm (height) 23cm (depth) for an overnight bag, laptop bag or briefcase, or 11cm (height), 60cm (width) and 114cm (length) for a suit pack or garment bag (measured unfolded).
* Small item may be a small handbag, pocket book or purse, coat, umbrella, or for international flights, duty free goods (where permitted)
* Each piece must be able to fit under the seat in front of you or fit in an enclosed storage compartment in the cabin of the aircraft
* If any piece of Baggage does not comply with any of these conditions, it must be checked in to the aircraft hold or may not be carried on your flight"

And thus the bet is on. 5 days with only carry-on luggage. For her, not me.
I am prepared to lose this bet but goodness isn't it fun.

Rules: Shopping is permitted but every item must be interchangeable with one brought from home. And I plan on being strict with this one, as we know, not all shoes were created equal. Though I'm going to lose on this technicality because she's traveling internationally so can go nuts with the shopping and put it in her big bag. She doesn't have to take it home in the same way. Oh well.

Who knows what we might find...

So I've been really lucky with like the blogtv, livestream, stickam lately. About a week ago was Stickaid, which was amazing. I think I used up a large portion of our internet watching it. 24 hours with Charlie and Miles and whole slew of others, tom milsom, alex day, eddplant (yes I am just listing the Sons of Admirals). But it was a really great event. It raised over 20,000 pounds (for Unicef), which is so amazing. I put it to my friend like this, it was exactly like a full-on TV fundraiser but with people you actually want to see. I would love to watch for the full 24 hours next year, get a group together, make a big thing out of it, seeing as at least 3 others watched it for a bit.

And with the livestream. Andrew Slack did an amazing Late Night Snack with Andrew Slack (which was actually late at night for me because it was about 5am for him). I would jump off a cliff for that man, if he asked us too. Maybe not that dramatic but he is such an amazing speaker and he really believes what he's saying. And it's real too. He was a little mad last night about the people apposing the Muslim community center and the threat of Koran burning (which I mean, fair enough). He doesn't try to sugar coat his opinions.

Things like that, make me amazed that there is such hatred in the world. I think it's unreal that we can still live in a world with racism and homophobia. I think I'm sheltered in my own little world and in a community that contains most people who would never act in this way. I forget sometimes that people have different opinions to my own.

And most of all I try not to judge people too harshly but it's really hard. I know I'm far from perfect. And I know most people are lovely, it's just a few who muck it up.

Until next time
Katherine

Oh, on a completely different topic. The writing is not going too well. I can only write about 200 words at a time and it takes forever. I need to think it out and find out how my beginning meets my end. or change my beginning to meet my end.

Writing is so much more difficult for me than painting or music or sewing. you can't just wing it, you have to be certain. Quoting the adivce I gave my dad, it's all "this is this". Sewing doesn't care if you don't know what you're doing (well, it doesn't mind too much).

you could be a steampunk too

I like how I said 'if' yesterday. can you guess what I did today?

and this made me laugh


Until next time,
Katherine

like the past met the future but the present got scissored

So, I'm sick. I have some sort of a virus. My head really hurts and I was nauseous for over 24 hours. Sometime yesterday I stopped feeling nauseous so, I'd say that's a win.

You know what's a bad idea. Going on a site visit when you have a virus. I was totally wiped after it. And the slight bus sickness just escalated. Seriously, not a good idea. On the plus side I got to wear a hard hat and obnoxiously orange vest and safety goggles. SAFETY GOGGLES I TELL YOU. And you know what's fun about walking around an almost finished train station... nothing.

Well, anyway, that's not what I want to talk about. What I want to talk about is the other side of being sick. The 'Oh, my god, I am unbelievably bored!' side. I've watched I don't even know how many episodes of Gilmore Girls in the last three days. It's been a lot. But, but, but... I did do this:



This was my fist idea. I like it. I liked the idea of the midriff until I realised no one should ever wear a midriff, well, ok, unless you constantly work out. most of the stuff I already have, the skirt, the vest, the shoes and the hat. I'm beginning to realise I pretty much have as much dress-up clothes as I do wear everyday clothes. Some even can be both, which is fun.



This one is, obviously, my second idea. I like it a little better. It's my 1899 Steampunk look. I think I like it better because it's obviously late 1800s. And don't bother pointing out that it's pretty much the same as the first one, i know. (Oh, the foxtel add just came on and it has the original fiveawesomegirls theme music in it, hilarious). The idea for the belt (gypsy chain thing), I completely stole but I liked the idea to just put a whole lot of stuff I can play with, a fan, a spyglass, a slingshot, wrench, (I wanted a lock pick set but it's illegal to take outside, if it actually works) and a small bag for modern stuff you need.



And just all the accessories I'd need. If this goes ahead, it's gonna be really easy. I don't really need much, a trip to the hardware store and a trip to the thrift store and I'm done.

Until next time,
Katherine

One last thing, enjoy.

I'm loosing my BF to WoW

So A little while I wrote a list of people I want to Cosplay as. And, well, that list is a little dated now. At Supanova this year I got to go as Death of the Endless (with about a nights notice) which was awesome. And I've been thinking of who I would like to go as next time. So...

Adding to the people I want to Cosplay as (Ok, redoing the list):

Katara (Avatar: the Last Air Bender) - Some serious sewing required there.

Kaylee (Firefly) - still really, really, really want to.

Peter Davison (Doctor Who) - ok, bear with me on this one. I want to do the girl version of his doctor, i think it would be cute (plus not too difficult. On that note, I would be Nyssa but man, talk about a hard costume to replicare.)

I need to go into the outside world more often.
Say it with me, sunlight!
Until next time.
Katherine

Oh Edit: Katniss Everdeen (Hunger Games) - I think she was on my last list. I just finished 'Mockingjay' and by just I mean exactly 10 hours after I bought it. I'm very excited about Katniss at the moment and am even mentally constructing a sheath of arrows as we speak.

Reprise the Theme Song

I'm sad in a very, "I really shouldn't be sad because we've been through this and, well that's great and everything but come on now, really, if you feel sad about this you should really feel sad about more things, and well, more important things, you know, issues not related to 1994, and what about all those people everywhere else in the world who have it tough, you know" kind of way. And, of course, I'm going to be very attention-whore-ish about it.

I kind of feel better now. I think it's all coming into perspective. But, you know when you're sad and you find ways to make yourself more sad and then you continue to be sad. Yeah, well, yeah. Gah! Maybe I'll talk about it sometime but you know, we's tough, like.

Until next time.
Katherine

Tomorrow night, we're bringing Buffy back!

So i've realised that I obsess way, way, way too much about TV Shows. At the moment I'm watching Buffy (seasons six), Avatar: the last airbender and Roundhouse. Now, the being overly obsessed part is not surprising. What I find odd is the fact that I get waaay upset when they change things. And, really I have no right to be upset as usually (with the exception of avatar) these things are like, well over 10 years old.

Do you know how long I was in mourning for when Oz left? My Goodness! And now I'm having Dominic Lucero and to a lesser extent (but still gaping whole in my heart) Crystal Lewis, withdrawal.

But by the time I get around to being upset and outraged (outraged is a strong word, mildly annoyed) everyone else is either, "Gah yeah, that happened over 18 years ago, catch up!" or, (and more commonly) "what the heck are you even talking about".

In short, I get way too attached to things that are not real. It's not a bad thing. It just is. It's fun.

Until next time.
Katherine.

You and Me Could Write A Bad Romance

Hello world.
So today I learnt how to make a lock pick out of a paperclip (well tension wrench and hook pick) which I then proceeded to open a very cheap padlock with. I also finished a painting I'd been working on for a little while, while watch a documentary about midnight movies. Right now, besides typing this, I'm reading fan fiction (and amongst the impostors by Margaret Peterson Haddix).

Oh, I recently finished (as in read yesterday) The Dead Boy Detectives because we got Charles and Edwin, Death and Hob. Hob! I was pretty impressed even if it wasn't written by Mr Gaiman, himself.

Completely veering off topic. Like there was a topic to begin with huh? I was on camp for two weeks. Camp was great. The temperature and my personal hygiene during this time was not. Very, very, very cold.

Oh! Went to the Abbey Medieval Festival as well. We did some dancing with Gypsies. Saw some archery and sword fighting and the joust. Ate some seriously good Turkish Delight. Debated whether or not Turkish delight is a girl-thing and what that has to say about Edmund.

I also realised a few days a go that my dad did not know the story of 'The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse' But I think this one is just me. I had a book of fairy stories when I was little and this one was one of it. It kind of differs from what I've just discovered on Wikipedia but the general gist is the same.

Ok, I'm even boring me at this stage.
Until next time,
Katherine.

This also pretty much sums me up at the moment and,
this, this and this make my life.

Do you ever watched the eagle fly to the sun

I am planning my escape. Now, don't worry, it's not an Alaska escape from the labyrinth deal. I just have to work up the courage to tell my dad.

Our dream can become a reality

This is going to be very self indulgent and pompous. So let's jump straight in, shall we?

I think without a doubt that I live a charmed life. Yes, it is not perfect and I do spent an awful lot of time worrying but, deep down, (and well, not all too deep) it is truly wonderful.

I like to think of myself as a Jack of all trades (master of none) and although when you read it in 'les mis' it is a derogatory phrase, I do not feel that way at all. I am only limited by my imagination in the exploits I wish to pursue. I can and will, paint and sing and write and read and sew and knit and film and record and see, anything I want. I even take joy (though I don't work at it as much as I should) in the physics and maths and mechanics of that which I am studying. I can also spend my free time with those who I love and fulfill my need to do something, anything, good for the world, when I get the immense privelege of getting to know beautiful children.

I know, I talk about the same things over and over again in this "blog" but it's who I am. all this is a part of me. I can't help it.

I have recently seen 'footloose' for the first time, am continueing to make my way through the 'bloody jack' and 'Alex Rider' series, watched my old highschool's production of 'High School Musical' last night and am currently watching the Christian Bale version of Little Women. Oh, and I also had a lovely chat with someone who i haven't seen in a while on facebook this morning. I am content.

Study week is a week away and then the dreaded exams.eh, I'll study once the movie ends.

Until next time,
Katherine

If you wanna shine your light, you gotta go higher

Ok, I'm just gonna come out and say it, if I ever was to be the debrief leader on a camp, I have just found my debrief song.

My debrief songs have been (in no particular order)
Circle of Life - The Lion King
The Middle -Jimmy Eat World
Defying Gravity - Wicked
Light and Day - The Polyphonic Spree
The Moment of Truth - Survivor
Waiting on the World to Change - John Mayer (which still confuses me)
Get Ready - Live
It's never too late - Michael Franti

As I've said before I like 'I've got Nothing' by the Chart Jackers and 'Here Comes the Sun' by the Beatles. (Let's dance to Joy Division is in the maybe pile because I don't think everyone will appreciate 'everything is going wrong but we're so happy' which is the only line remotley acceptable in the song.)

Now I like this song for a few reasons. One, the obvious, the lyrics of -

"Run a little wild. Dive into the danger.
Don't you think twice.
Standing on the edge of life. Walking on a wire.
Jump in the fire.
Jump in the fire tonight"

"If you wanna shine your light, you gotta go higher.
And jump in the fire.
Jump in the fire tonight."

They're nice and enouraging. Two) it's upbeat and bopy and a little cheesy and all the good things you want at 11 o'clock at night to keep you awake for two minutes longer and motivate you for the next day. Three) It's off a 90s kids TV show and we're looking after kids so it kind of fits.

Until next time,
Katherine

Not Title Day 2.0

Two points to bring up today in a very informal just stopping by, kind of way. Oh, scratch that, make it three.

- I had a very uni-esk lunch yesterday at my friends house, two minute noodles and cake mix. mmm...mmm...mmm balanced and nutricious.

- Today is 'Dress Differently Day' so I'm currently sitting in my room dressed as a newsie. I would have gone outside like this too but I have work later and need to wear my work shirt *Sigh*. Though I did wear my suspenders to uni, just not with the hat.

-And! And! And! Last but not least, Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan is out in Australia!!! Our lameness knows no bounds as, as each member of our known-nerdfighters clique gets the book we feel as though we have to tell the masses on facebook, only two more to go and then it will be all of us. Good thing one's birthday party is tomorrow and I bought it for her.

Hope everyone else on the planet is having a nice time. Or at least, a more productive time than well, the girl currently dressed as a newsie.

Until next time,
Katherine

His interstellar science would amaze ya

Ah, the night before the first exam of the year stress-a-thon. It's always a good one. I hate exams, I always go out of my mind. I'm envious of all those who don't go insane in the lead up to exams. I didn't even study ridiculously hard for this one (just the regular kind of study) and it's not that big of a deal but I still feel like I'm going to throw up. pleasant, I realise.

Well anyway. Apart from that, I have come to the conclusion that I obsess waaaaay too much about things. Oh, you already knew that. Ok then. Well anyway, I'm weird. I'm starting to picture kids from my work as background characters from my story, it's a period piece so that's not too difficult. But, it's weird. But, but, but, they look up at you, especially the little one's (see what I did there), with their big eyes and oh my goodness, it's the cutest thing ever.

On another note, the doctor's new sonic screwdriver is green?!? I know I'm the last person on the planet to learn this but, really? green? Are they going to change it back, or is it going to remain green? Oh, questions only time will tell, or those who bother to read ahead.

Until next time,
Katherine.

And just a little touch of going mad

I've got two things to talk about today; Maureen Johnson and Lewis Hine.

I'll start with Maureen Johnson because I think I have more to say in that regard. Coincidentally in my last post I mentioned BEDA (Blog Everyday in April) which I think Maureen may have made up, or at least did, funnily enough, last April. So Maureen Johnson, who is a young adult novelist (I have no idea why I'm explaining all this, it sounds so formal), has been having a bit of a problem lately, the most recent addition to the problem is explained here . But basically some mother didn't want her daughter reading Maureen's 'The Bermudez Triangle' and a Gossip Girl book. I don't really know if she initially wanted the books banned but that article says that she wants a label put on books with (what she believes is) inappropriate content.

Now, this is silly for a whole bunch of reasons. One, the fact that the book's were in the YOUNG ADULT section (people!!!) is a kind of labeling system, it means that the books are meant for slightly older readers. I've gone into book stores and rearranged books that I believe are in the wrong section for this reason (I don't make a habit of this). I also alphabetise book stores too (what can I say I'm a freak). I think it highlights the ignorance of people 1) to not realise there are junior books and then there are young adult books (I disagree with it but I see the reason) and 2) to not realise that young adult books sometimes have content that some may view was inappropriate. We've all seen John Green's rant and I think it says it all.

Also, I think people need to be a little more informed about the books their kids are reading. I continuously want to recommend books to my little group of OSH kids but don't because of content issues. If they were in high school go for it but their ages are a concern. But, one of them was reading Harry Potter and the other was reading 'Tomorrow when the war began'.These books deal with big issues. I myself, read Brian Jacques books at primary school, was actually encouraged to when the librarian found out I liked them. And, yes, they're about animals but you wouldn't call them cute and cuddly. What I'm trying to say is that you're seriously misleading yourself if you think all children's books are Pollyanna incarnate.

I just think it's so lazy to try and get other people to censor books for you. If you are so concerned with the content of the books your children are reading, there are these really handy people called, librarians or there's this really nifty thing called, the Internet. Both, I have learnt, are an endless source of information. Or, you know, you could ACTUALLY READ THE BOOK. unlike a certain Harry Potter book banner we all know and love. Ok, now I'm just getting rude. so I digress.

This issue is silly because young adult books are young adult books for a reason. And I think reading them is not such a bad thing. I actually, would highly recommend it.

Oh, I've run out of steam now... anyway I think Lewis Hine is amazing, but I guess I'll talk about him another time.

Until next time,
Katherine

P.S. I'm not sure if any of this made any sense, I was a little overzealous about it.

What do you think this is BEDA?

Anyway. All I wanted to say is. I don't know. Sometimes I get so caught up with words, it's funny that I'm not better with them. It's like I want to keep them all for myself. Why would I waste them on other people. I love the world's that words can create.

Anway. I'm having a vey much 'I love the internet' type of moment except 'I love words'. I read 'Robert's Rules of Writing' a few months back and I still think about something he said (at least, I think that's where I read it). Someone was trying to be all look at me and asked him what his adivce was for a poet (or something) who hates words. And I weep for their soul, if it is true. But really, even for having the thought. How could you hate something so wonderful?

A mere word is all it takes to spark a thought. And a whole string of them, well; Northern Lights anyone? The Graveyard Book? Little Women? Pollyanna? The Hunger Games? The Book Theif? Dude, Harry Potter? The Outsiders? Perks of Being a Wallflower? Stargirl? A Little Princess?

Sometimes I'm so amazed at what people can do with words, it takes my breath away.

And that's just the written word.

Until next time,
Katherine

I Just Wanna be A Sheep

Bah, Bah, Bah, Bah, Bah... I'm singing this song (which I only remember because someone was singing the 'little speckled frogs' song and someone else brought this one up, yay for Christian primary schools) because I'm such a hypocrite and, as the song says 'they're not hip with it'.

So, I'm pretty sure way back when I went on a little holier-than-thou rant about fan fiction and I kind of. have to. renounce my statement. *runs and hides*

*shouts from behind a tree* I know, I know, I know. I was having fun looking around fanfiction.net and was reading some holes (I just watched the movie) and a little princess and some newsies. I do, however, think it's amazing that there's so much variety, I never knew. So yeah, that's what I've been doing instead of studying.

Until Next time,
from officially the lamest person you know

All We Want To Do Is Eat Your Brains

I'm writing this with the knowlege that I will in no way beable to impart all the awesome that was yesterday to you in mere words but, about this failing, I think I can live.

Yesterday was Supanova, the brother of ComicCon that ComicCon doesn't like to speak about because they're too little to play with his friends.



So we got in free, which was awesome, and spent the whole day running around checking out people's costumes. My friends was Sailor Moon so we tried to get photo's with all the Sailor Scouts. I did find a Morpheus to my Death but didn't get a chance to meet him *sad*. We saw the most awesome twin babies ever, who were Superman and Wonder Woman respectively, we had a little chat to their Dad and he recognised who I was but didn't know Sailor Moon, go figure. And we saw a whole Steam Punk family, four original Pokemon, A lifesize Darlek and Belle and her Beast, in human form. The highlight of the day was definatley glimsing James Marsters, the line was too long to meet him, but yeah, never washing these eyes again.

Until next time,
Katherine.

Oh, I also bought a Serenity shirt which I've seen online before, but it's soooo nice to be able to just buy it. You never get that.

What I love most about rivers is you can't step in the same river twice

The title is, of course, the opening line from 'Just around the river bend' from Pocahontas. It was, after two days, the final decision for our debrief song for the easter activity days. At our final debrief Kyra put on her ipod so we could chill to some music while we thought about our feelings and all that. Shuffle is everyman's curse, it played taylor swift, avenue Q and kiss the girl without anyone, majorly, noticing but in our final reflection everyone was being totally silent, you just heard 'is this from Pocahontas?!?' from our debrief leader. I guess you had to be there. everyone laughed and that kind of signaled the end of our debrief sesh.

As we didn't have an official debrief song we had a few contenders; 'Here comes the Sun', 'I've got nothing' for the lines 'look into my eyes see I'm acting crazy' and 'nothing in my heart but you' and 'Let's Dance to Joy Division' for the line 'everything is going wrong but we're so happy'. I'm pleased with our final choice though which brings me back to the title.

I work with kids a lot but I love going on camp because nobody else in the world (I may be exaggerating) gets to do what we get to do. Our Eddie Rice tradition is that we do one-on-one buddying, so you get the immense privilege of spending time really getting to know a child. But that's not what I wanted to share yet. I love the quote because every time I go one camp I get to meet such special little people, even if you've gone on a million camps you will not encounter the same thing twice. And even over the two days of an activity day, it brings a little spark of joy into my life.

My two buddies were beautiful, I had a 9 year old boy the first day and a 14 year old girl the second. And I am so grateful I got to spend time with each of them. And all the other buddies I encountered during the days. I loved being detectives with my buddy and spending the whole time trying to figure out 'who stole easter', spying on people behind doors and bushes and pointed at people and saying 'hmmm.... very suspicious' and finally glaring down the people responsible because we were so outraged they could do such a thing. I loved dancing and evil laughing and talking in a made up language and having her exclaim 'your as crazy as I am', seriously my second buddy is the coolest person I have ever met, she is like me and my friends but she's only 14, she knows exactly who she is. She is amazing. I loved gushing over Bollywood actors with our resident expert. And playing who wants to be a millionaire then dancing Bollywood style out to the car singing 'Jai Ho' (in our defense, it's the only song we knew) before running after the car when she went home. I loved hearing a little voice say 'Katherine' in the pool before turning around to get a face full of water but receiving the biggest smile, this from a little boy who is hard to engage is any activities and said that his buddy from last camp and his buddy yesterday were his best friends. I love that we can bring joy, but I also love that they bring just as much joy to our lives.

As an aside I think it is hilarious that after I was given the role of taking charge of our team (our team leader was still on a bus with a few kids and my buddy) I decided it might be a good idea to play red rover, we had a lot of boys. It was going ok but then one of the big buddies fell over in the mud. A few minutes later the entire team was covered in the stuff. To make it worse we had some girls come to observe how we do camps, they got just as muddy. Welcome to ERC. See, and you wonder why I've only been team leader once. It was a running thing from then on if we had a water fight we'd also have a mud fight. One of the support was like 'it's always your (our) team, all the others are ok but you WANT to add mud to the water'.

There seems like a good place to stop, though I just want to add that after said water fight my buddy ran up to me to ask if I was ok. That kid is going to be alright.

Until Next time
Katherine

Disney's Facination with Red Neck Ties.

This is something that's been on my mind lately. I'm not really sure why. And, I'm so gonna screw up the alignment of this page. So on that note, here we go.

If you watch as many Disney movies as I do, and, lets be honest, who doesn't, you may have noticed that many of the boy characters, especially in the period pieces tend to wear red bandannas/ neck ties/ cravat type things. This is most commonly in the rascally, larikin-y, sometimes trouble making ones. For Exampl-ay:

Everybodies favourite - Jack Kelly/Cowboy from Newsies


Dodger - Oliver and Company


Jesse Tuck - Tuck Everlasting


And, Bert - Mary Poppins


I also wanted to add Woody and Jack Sparrow to the list but left them out on technicalities.

I might add some commentary at a later point but that's all for now. We had waaaay too much food for easter and now I am a little sleepy. I'll leave you with this though, I watched 'Pufnstuf' (well, most of it), the movie, this morning. And can I just say Jack Wild for the win. Because,you know, why would you simply say a line when shouting it is an option. No, really, I do love him. I did google him for my previous list but sadly the artful dodger does not wear red.

Until next time,
Katherine.

Edit: yes, i do think I will edit this eventually. I would also like to add that I have failed miserably in 'don't buy things in April' oh ebay, how you haunt me.

Empty Chairs at Empty Tables

I will continue in the tradition of the last post by qutoting something I think is beautiful for you see "I'm not afraid of dying, I'm not afraid of my friends dying either, for one day we will all die and we will be together forever". Having typed that out it seems more morbid and creepy than beautiful but that's what you get I guess. For those not currently watching Tom Brown's School Days (the one will Alex Petyfer) it is indeed Arthur's line. I wonder if it's a line in the book, I could go and have a look but that requires getting up, so I'll just add that I think empty chairs at empty tables is beautiful also.

Gosh, I'm gloomy today. It seems almost wrong to bring up that I had a very strange revelation (revelations not the right word) with my dad today. He was analysing my taste in music because my ipod was on shuffle in the car, and, as always I'm not as mysterious (and teen angsty (well, not a teenager anymore so I guess those days are over), gah, no one understands me-esk) as I like to think I am. Strange, yes, being able to market to me through knowing about my age, sex, and class, not so much (that was my dad's pointing out not mine, I'm not sure if I agree with him to the whole extent).

Well, anyway he just said that most of the music I listen to is ironic. I don't listen to it because it's great musically but because it says someting or theirs some story there that's a bit interesting (and your like, Katherine, that's not what irony means, and I'll agree with you there and say that I was adding on not explaining... sorry if that sounded a bit hostile). And just so, I think some stuff I listen to is brilliant musically but that's not the whole reason why I like it. I just like things that are clever, that's all. I think I've said that before. and it sounds no more modest now.

On that note, I'll leave you.
Until next time.
Katherine

Edit: I just watched the end of TBSD (and by just I mean a few hours ago when I finished writing) and I'm seriously gloomy. still.

Hello World

I wish I had a boy like Jesse Tuck asking me to drink water that would make me immortal so we could 'have a grand old time, go all around the world, see everything'. I mean, I probably wouldn't do it, but it would be nice to be asked.

I will not quack at the principal

I'm cold!!! Which is odd seeing as it's the middle of summer. Making it less odd is the fact that I've just been ice skating. And I know what you're thinking, Katherine,um... I don't mean to be rude, but you're an internet person and in case you haven't noticed, um... we as a general rule don't do well with the physical activity. To which I will state, it wasn't my idea. I did, however, feel very mighty duck-esk which was cool. But I think it would be nice to actually learn the proper way to ice skate seeing as I haven't done it in, oh, about 12 years. Which is alright seeing as I live in a climate that's pretty much perpetually summer (our winter is pretty much Englands summer, I'm not complaining).

Moving on to the next story. The other day we have our after camp dinner at sizzler. It was fun as the dress code was formal. We certainly brought a little bit of class to the establishment, before eating as much as we possibly could. When we were walking up to the place one of our captains pulled up beside us in a convertible,he got out looking very much like James Bond though slighty more Victorian. That night taught me about my new favourite historical person Jack Churchill . Just briefly he's responsible for the only confirmed kill by longbow in world war 2. He's pretty much as close as you can get to a real life Chuck Norris.

Other than that not much else has been happening. been going to work for a bit. going to Uni on monday. such is life.
Until next time.
Katherine

Neil Gaiman and Scott Westerfeld

Neil Gaiman comics are beautiful, in the ‘I’m freaking scared but oh my goodness this is freaking beautiful’ kind of way. I love the way he writes. Now, I know I’d probably enjoy the Sandman series more if I read them in the correct order but I’m an impatient reader, I’ll take it in whatever order the library seems fit to stock it in.

I used to think (like as late as 20 minutes ago) that illustrators made Neil Gaiman comics but alas like most things in life, I was wrong. I think I based my theory from obsessing about ‘Delirium’ from Endless Nights. That there, that gets to you, endless nights just blew my mind.

The first Neil Gaiman comic I read was ‘World’s end’ in which ‘mr smiley’ still haunts me. That’s what I love about his work, it stays with you. It just portrays feelings so well. Delirium my darling.

Speaking of blowing my mind (from back there a little bit). The Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld. Genius. And don’t get me started on Extras. By which I mean, now, I’m going to talk about it. It’s fantastic it’s every fan of anything’s dream, to have an established story and for the author to just twist it slightly and take it in a whole new mind blowing direction. It’s like the best fanfiction ever written (I don’t read fanfcition*) because it’s written by the author. And, And!!! The parallels between modern life. I’ve never read a book that soooo emulates MY world. The whole thing is a commentary on youtube and what could happen if we let it run our lives. That’s what I get out of it. Of course there’s the whole hysterical media (hysterical media???) aspect which is probably a better analogy.

But let me get back to Uglies, I love how it turns out. Her battle for her own mind. I was very confused when she finally said enough, stop messing with my mind. Initially I thought that was just how they had programmed her to think, you know, like how the body doesn’t reject aluminium, they tried to make it so her mind wouldn’t reject the new way it was wired. But, it’s even more respectful that she didn’t let them mess with her again. She has to keep fighting to remain herself. And even if it’s not who she was at the beginning, how could she have gone back after everything she’s been through. It’s like getting true life experiences and going back to being naive. It doesn’t work.

The writing style almost threw me. It took me until nearly the end of Uglies to decide I was going to read the series. It’s a bit slow to start off with and it’s akin to ‘His Dark Materials’ and ‘Inkheart’ which I am yet to finish. I will tell you time and again that those books throw me. It’s no secret. I’m a simple child. I can take on ideas, they just have to be presented in a ‘for the masses’ kind of way.

Ok back to Neil Gaiman. Reading over this, I can’t quite remember why I had such a rapid change of opinion about the writing of Neil Gaiman comics. And good for me, I failed to say why while I could still remember. One reason I can think of, however, is that in ‘Dream Country’ there’s a section at the back that is the script, and he puts in little things that he wants the illustrator to draw, which is just fantastic.

Segue. I just discovered the complete graphic novel section in my local book store. For months I was surprised at how small it was, cause ‘my local book store’ translates into ‘Borders’ and it’s massive. Well anyway, they keep the DC and the Marvel comics on different sides of the shelf and I’d never looked at the other side. ‘Cause I’m like that. Well, obviously I thought it was the most hilarious thing in the world.

Anyway, I’ve been debating with myself what makes a good graphic novel. ‘Cause I guess you could say that Gaiman’s work is a little weird and I’m sure it’s not for everyone. Hmmmm.... I think I’d like to read some people’s opinions on the matter, remind me to do that. And while I still have no idea what does make a good graphic novel, I appreciate when thought has gone into how you are wanting to present the story you are telling. I want to see if you have a mastery of your medium. I, of course, am just the audience, I don’t expect perfection but little flashes of brilliance (or just stuff I like and gets stuck in my head), well, it gets to me and i like to think, I get it.

I’ve started reading ‘Watchmen’ and I feel like reading it along with the movie because I just keep seeing the movie in my head (I’ve only seen it once, mind (get it, mind, see what I did there, ok... stopping) which is probably not the greatest thing to be doing so I kind of want to just give in to my curiosity and see what bits are the same and what are different and see if you could use the comic to story board the movie.
Well, that’s all from me.
Until next time,
Katherine

*here’s why http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA_VSQqn32M

We were both young, when I first saw you

Hey, guess what? I'm employed again. I know, right! I'm impressed too.

But anyway, not much to report. I had a very nice little 'Ah, young person' moment. Which, once again, is an 'I know right! kind of thing' seeing as I am, you know, a young person.

Ok, in real time. So I'm watching so you think you can dance and Gah! I can't take the crying and the sob stories. And!!! my friends just called and serenaded me to 'love story' through the phone (I'm not sure if that's a sentence).

So we all went over to our friend Evo's house and watched movies and had a drunked stumble to the 7-11 to buy noodles because they're cheap and we're poor uni students. Then, in the morning we had a usual maccas run. And then played monopoly deal in the pool. with typical resulting shenanigans. There were quite a few soaking cards at the end. It's odd though, from a female perspective as we're all campers and it's the first time in a while we've been swimming outside a 'must keep children alive' setting and all the girls still wore shirts and shorts in the pool, the fact that none of us brought togs may be the reason for that but still.

I have induction tomorrow. I think it will be fun.
And I'm reading 'Sacred Scars' by Kathleen Duey and it's insanely well written. I'm hopeful. Must read the first in the series though.

Until next time
Katherine

we've got to work, work, work it out

Hey, look. No not there. Here! It's a blog post. I know, I'm excited too.

I've just come back, and by just I mean 2:30 Saturday morning, so not really just, from two weeks of camp. The 11-13yrs trad camp which I captained and the 14-16yrs Hybrid where I big buddied. I don't want to say too much here because it seems too much like a debrief journal and all the let's express-our-feelings-ness which I'm programed as a young person to be a little weary about.

But I might list a few favourite moments in no particular order.

1) The time when all our boys where asleep!!!! This did not happen all camp. It was the last night and most of the boys hadn't slept much all week. We'd strategically planned bed time and after playing sleeping soldiers for about an hour and a half. They were all asleep. It ended with a three person, group, jump hug, quickly followed by racing my co-captain to the shower, which, being a boy, he let me go first.

2) Speaking of which, this was the day I let the buddies paint people's hair using *shudders* acrylic paint. We were using the poster paint in another activity. I let two groups paint hair before some told be that wasn't the greatest idea, my bad. (this is probably not a fav moment, but seriously some of the girls looked pretty, very avatar-esk, and one of the boys who refused to engage with his buddy, well, engaged with his buddy, saying he was putting red on her face (cause they were in red team) when he was really putting yellow, well played little dude).

3) One of the boys telling his big buddy that he was his best friend after telling him he didn't have any at school.

4) Smiling at a quite girl and having her smile back

5) All of red team (the rowdy, all boy, team) sitting down quietly making maps. Our theme was uncharted, which was a generic, adventure, explorer kind of theme, so it wasn't just randomly, let's make some maps.

6) Having a girl, find it hilarious to put disgusting stuff all over my face; cake icing anyone? Watermelon? Cicada shells (ok technically that was my hair). Going to the pool with green marker covering my arms, legs and face. Ninja Nerd!

7) Having a girl let me play around with her wheelchair and find it hilarious when one of the boys pretended to drop me from the wheely position. it's terrifying!

8) earning a girls trust when it was not easily given.

Ok, that last one was a little bit reflective. I think that's the indicator that I should leave it as that.

Until next time.
Katherine

Oh, also, is there nothing more adorable that a guy pushing a tiny girl around in a wheelchair? That would be a guy pushing a girl around in a wheelchair for a touch football game, with all the guys on the field cheering her on and the other side letting her score. twice!